Culture Swellness: Power Ball 2019 recap

Believe the hype: Power Ball is the fundraiser gala you want to go to.

A couple of nights ago, I attended Power Ball for the first time and I have to say; as someone who goes to my fair share of events, and seeing friends there who are in the same circle–and I know it sounds a bit awful, but you can get a bit spoiled and jaded when you regularly go to events where tablescapes are decked out as though for a wedding and you get spoiled by fantastic food and open-bar cocktails–and everyone around you is genuinely having a good time? You’re at a pretty special night out.

Starting with the art: loved Max Streicher’s inflatable sculptures, Sleeping Giants, Chelsea Culprit’s neon installation, Tri Braja and Bruno Billio’s Tron209. And there was Sarah Zanchetta’s installation, Sweet Digs, which was inspired by Bumble‘s mission to change gender norms, encouraging women to make the first move. It was an adventure entering the space and discovering art in all of the spaces. Even the food was presented in a way that encouraged you to explore, such as Arthur’s Restaurant small plates served up in compartments. And there were 2,000 Krispy Kremes! Boxes upon boxes of original glazed!

When things got too busy and warm inside watching the performances from the city’s LGBTQ community (we caught a bit of one of Gay Jesus’s performances), we escaped to the patio (and were grateful for the night’s perfect weather!) and enjoyed a couple of glasses from Chateau des Charmes and desserts from Ricarda’s. Best of all, there was never a wait for anything, except for a short wait at the Toronto Life photo booth.

And the fashion! A fantastic crowd and so many great outfits. I feel like there were a handful of guests who dressed to the speakeasy theme of 21 Club (I did not dress to the theme — I ended up with a sequined jumpsuit from Fitzroy Boutique thanks to a giftcard I received about a month ago from Socialite Vodka) but people, whether on theme or not, had all put in the effort into their look of the night. In the pic above, I’m with my friends Megan Munro, Anya Georgijevic and Nelia Bekbulatova.

Thank you for a fun night out Power Ball: 21 Club (which this  year was in partnership with presenting sponsor Holt Renfrew)! If you have the opportunity to attend, do it! And ICYMI, I had a Q&A with Gaetane Verna, director of the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery here. Can’t wait to see what’s in store in the coming years for Power Ball!

Photos: BestofToronto.net (group photo), George Pimentel (art installations).

Leave a Comment June 8, 2019